Sunday, April 12, 2015

Let's get this party started...

Hi. I'm Kelly, and I'm on a mission to a happier, healthier
me. How? By running 35 races over the next year.

Huh? Why 35 races? What kind of races? How is this going to
make me happier and healthier? Well, here’s a little background…

I’m turning 35 in two weeks. Just over one year ago, my
husband and I welcomed our third child to this world. Jack, our son, is amazing
– happy, smiley, smart, active, loving, sweet – everything a parent could hope
for. Even amidst all this “amazing-ness”, this past year has still been one of
the most challenging years of my life. Why? Something else was born with Jack,
something called Postpartum Depression.

Postpartum Depression is a real thing, y’all. I’m not
talking “baby blues” or random hormonal imbalances. I’m talking unmotivated,
can’t-get-out-of-bed, want-to-run-away kind of depression – the real deal. Now,
this wasn’t the first time I’d had this experience. I’ve always struggled with
seasonal depression, and I went through a nasty bout of PPD with my first child
as well. But this time around, this particular depression was stronger than
ever before, infiltrating my relationships and the various aspects of my life
on a whole new level.

I’ll get into the nitty-gritty in due time. But long story
short (for now), I came to a crossroads in my battle with this depression. One
day, I had a realization that I do still have some power, some control over
what happens to me, how I feel, how I can make it through the day. And then I
came up with this idea – what if I ran 35 races during my 35th year?
It was just random enough, and still doable, to give me some personal
motivation, some small goal just for me, just the right amount of focus to help
me see just a little more light.

And so, here I am, with my
35th birthday just around the corner, embarking on this journey –
for real. I’m going to make it happen, one race at a time. And hopefully, with
each mile I run and each finish line I cross, I’ll learn a little more, grow a
little stronger, and get a little closer to a happier, healthier me.